Faculty Highlight: Jason Petecca
From teaching business courses to the students at SCCC to having a place in the film industry as a set builder, nothing is out of the ordinary for Jason Petecca
Photo by J. Jeffreys
Jason began his academic journey as a student at Sussex County Community College, where he first had an interest in biology. After graduating, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding and operating a construction company that he successfully managed until its eventual sale.
This experience became the foundation for his practical understanding of operations, finance, and personnel management. Following the sale of the company, Jason moved into a new chapter of his career in healthcare management, where he spent many years overseeing complex organizational systems and helping to lead the largest prehospital healthcare organization in NJ.
Committed to lifelong learning, Jason later returned to higher education to earn a degree in accounting and eventually completed his MBA. These accomplishments strengthened his analytical skills and positioned him for a broader range of professional roles.
After retiring in 2020, Jason explored a different kind of service by working in television and film production as a set medic, an experience that exposed him to a new and eclectic environment full of diverse experiences.
In 2024, Jason was offered a position teaching business and accounting at the college level, marking a return to his academic roots. He now leverages his wide-ranging professional background to bring real-world context to the classroom, helping students understand how financial, operational, and managerial concepts shape their everyday lives.
His ability to connect theory with practice has also opened doors to collaboration across campus. Jason serves as co-adviser to the Business and Entrepreneurial Club and recently partnered with Professor Sal Paolucci to host a financial seminar for the Center for Lifelong Learning, demonstrating his commitment to community engagement.
Photo by J. Jeffreys
One of the most unexpected developments in his early teaching career occurred during a faculty luncheon, where he met Professor Allison Ognibene from the Theater Department. When she learned that Jason had owned a construction company and had experience working on film sets, she asked if he would be interested in assisting with theatrical set construction. Jason accepted, and the resulting project became the largest set build the department had completed to date.
Through this collaboration, he worked closely with technical theater students, offering hands-on guidance and sharing his expertise with the next generation of builders and creators.
Jason continues to seek meaningful opportunities to contribute to the campus community. His dedication to service, combined with his broad professional experience, informs his teaching and mentorship. He remains committed to helping students prepare for the next chapter of their lives by encouraging curiosity and demonstrating the value of interdisciplinary learning.
